Introduction
The National Dog Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious dog shows in the United States. First held in 1879, the show was originally hosted by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) as a benched conformation show for purebred dogs. Over 140 years later, the National Dog Show is now considered one of the three major American dog shows along with the Westminster Dog Show and the AKC National Championship show (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Dog_Show).
The National Dog Show is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and follows their breed standards and rules. Dogs compete for Best of Breed, Best in Group, and the coveted title of Best in Show. The show provides an opportunity for breeders and handlers to showcase their dogs’ conformation to a panel of all-breed judges. Beyond competition, the show also serves as an educational event for dog enthusiasts to learn about different breeds and responsible dog ownership (https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/pets/things-know-about-the-national-dog-show/pPZLqDaAK1P1xeUbM1JqHI/).
Event Details
The National Dog Show is an annual conformation show held by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. It takes place over the course of 2 days on the weekend before Thanksgiving at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania [1]. The 2023 event will occur on November 18th and 19th [2]. There will be over 190 American Kennel Club (AKC) registered breeds competing, with over 2,000 dogs entered each year [1].
The two all-breed dog shows are benched, meaning dogs must be available for viewing by the public. Spectators can meet and interact with handlers and owners throughout the event. Judging occurs in rings at scheduled times for each breed and group [3]. The show lasts from 8am to 5pm each day, with group judging taking place in the evening on Saturday the 18th, followed by the Best in Show finale on Sunday the 19th [3].
Television Broadcast
The National Dog Show airs annually on NBC on Thanksgiving Day, following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is an American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctioned event held in Philadelphia, and is one of the oldest and most widely watched dog shows in the United States.
The show has aired on NBC every year since 2002. The broadcast starts at noon eastern time and runs for two hours (12pm – 2pm ET) on Thanksgiving Day. The first hour provides coverage of the seven group competitions, while the second hour covers the Best in Show competition and winner reveal.
The National Dog Show has been hosted by actor John O’Hurley since the NBC partnership began in 2002. O’Hurley is best known for playing “J. Peterman” on Seinfeld. The expert analyst is David Frei, who provides insight and commentary during the broadcast. Frei is an AKC-licensed judge and expert analyst.
Some of the most popular breeds featured include Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Dachshunds, Beagles, and Bulldogs. Viewers can expect to see around 200 different breeds competing for the coveted Best in Show title.
Sources: (NBC Sports, National Dog Show)
Notable Winners
The National Dog Show’s Best in Show is one of the most coveted titles in the dog show world. Some notable Best in Show winners over the years include:
In 2022, a French Bulldog named Winston took home the top prize. French Bulldogs have become one of the most popular breeds in recent years and this was the first Best in Show win for the breed at the National Dog Show (Purina, 2022).
The Irish Setter Whiskey won Best in Show in 2018. This win came after a long drought for the breed, with the previous Irish Setter winner being way back in 1974 (People, 2022).
The Greyhound has taken Best in Show twice, first in 2016 with Gia and again in 2020 with Claire. This elegant sighthound breed has enjoyed great success at the National Dog Show (Wikipedia, 2023).
Certain breeds like the Wire Fox Terrier and Scottish Terrier have proven especially successful over the years, combining for over 10 Best in Show wins. There is always excitement around which breed will emerge victorious each year.
Judging Process
The judging process at the National Dog Show follows strict guidelines set by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Dogs are judged against the breed standard, which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of each breed. The main criteria judges use includes:
Physical Attributes – The judge will closely examine aspects like the dog’s proportions, gait, coat, coloring, and overall condition and fitness. The dog must closely match the ideal for its breed according to the breed standard.
Personality – The dog’s temperament is evaluated by how it reacts to the judge’s examination and how well it moves around the ring. The ideal dog is eager to please, alert, confident, and enjoys being examined by the judge.
The AKC also divides judging classes based on the dog’s age and experience: 6-9 month Puppy Class, 12-18 month Junior Class, Novice Class, Bred-By Exhibitor Class, American Bred Class, and Open Class. The champion dogs compete in Best of Breed judging. Winners from each breed then compete in the group judging.
The judge carefully scores each dog in every category. After examining all dogs in the class, the judge selects a first, second, third and fourth place winner. The first place dog advances to the next round of judging. The evaluations are based on finding dogs that epitomize ideal breed traits.
While judging is subjective, the extensive experience and expertise of the judges makes the National Dog Show competition as fair and objective as possible.
Behind the Scenes
The National Dog Show offers a rare glimpse into what happens backstage at a major dog show. Handlers work hard to prep the dogs before they hit the ring, making sure their fur is perfectly styled and conditioned. Right before showtime, handlers have a set routine to get the dogs focused and ready to perform. This includes taking them for quick walks, playing with toys, and offering treats and praise.
Backstage is abuzz with activity as handlers bathe dogs, blow dry their fur, and meticulously groom them. It’s important for dogs to look their best by meeting breed standards. Many dogs enjoy the pampering and attention before their big moment. When it’s showtime handlers are laser focused, reviewing ring strategy and positioning their dogs to look alert with ears perked.
An interesting backstage fact is that dogs are required to be inspected for forbidden substances by a veterinarian before competing, to ensure no performance enhancing drugs are used. The top winning dogs undergo additional testing to confirm substances banned by the American Kennel Club were not given.
While the audience sees the polished performances, the behind the scenes reveals the primping, pacing and preparations required for dogs to strut their stuff in the spotlight. It’s a team effort by handlers to showcase each breed’s characteristics and temperament. The National Dog Show offers a one-of-a-kind glimpse at this process from start to finish.
Popular Breeds
According to NBC Sports, some of the most popular breeds entered at the 2023 National Dog Show include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Bulldog, German Shepherd Dogs, Beagles, Dachshunds, Boxers, and Doberman Pinschers. Nearly 180 breeds are eligible to compete. https://www.nbcsports.com/national-dog-show/news/full-list-of-breeds-by-group-at-the-2023-national-dog-show
The American Kennel Club lists the most popular breeds in the United States as Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Poodle. The Labrador Retriever has ranked number one for over 30 consecutive years. https://www.akc.org/most-popular-breeds/
Some breed spotlights at this year’s show include the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, known for being Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite breed, and the energetic Brussels Griffon hailing from Belgium. The regal Afghan Hound and vivacious Vizsla are also anticipated to be top contenders in their groups.
Training and Handling
Conformation dog shows require extensive training and preparation for both dogs and their handlers. Most dogs begin training as puppies to get them used to being examined and stacking, which is standing in a way that best conforms to their breed’s ideal standards. According to the AKC, many owners start by attending handling classes, which are often conveniently held on weeknights and focus on how to properly handle a dog in the show ring.
Professional handlers are also frequently utilized at major dog shows like the National Dog Show. These expert dog handlers work with breeds full-time and know how to best showcase a dog’s conformation. According to the AKC article “How Do I Get Started in Dog Shows?”, professional handlers are beneficial because they are experienced at interpreting judges’ preferences and “have a feel for what works in the ring.” Owners will usually send their dogs to live and train with a professional handler prior to a big competition.
No matter if an owner handles their dog themselves or uses a professional handler, substantial training is required for both the dog and human to learn how to properly stack, gait, and behave in the show ring. Handling classes provide invaluable hands-on experience and instruction for novice owners to master presenting their dogs according to breed standards.
Future Outlook
The National Dog Show has plans for continued growth and success in future years. According to the Biz Journals, the goal is to have 2,300 dogs entered in the show by 2025, which would tap out the venue’s full capacity. If the show hits that target, it would become one of the largest dog shows in the country.
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, which presents the National Dog Show, has a long history of running successful dog shows for over 125 years. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused some disruptions, the organizers are optimistic that entry numbers and audiences will rebound to pre-pandemic levels soon.
As the show continues to grow, there may be opportunities to expand to larger venues in the future. However, the Kennel Club is committed to keeping the show local to the Philadelphia area since the National Dog Show has become a beloved annual tradition there.
How to Watch
The National Dog Show airs on NBC on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2023. Coverage begins at 12 pm ET and runs for two hours through 2 pm ET.
For those with access to NBC through their cable or satellite provider, the show can be watched live on the NBC channel. The show will also be available to stream through a number of services that provide access to live NBC including:
- Peacock – Peacock Premium subscribers can live stream the National Dog Show. An account and Premium subscription is required.
- NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – Live stream available by authenticating with a cable/streaming login.
- Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream – Live TV streaming services that include NBC in their channel packages.
The National Dog Show will also be available on-demand the day after it airs on NBC through many of the streaming platforms listed above.
For international viewers, availability may vary depending on region and service provider. Check local listings for details.